Safety device for locomotive-pilots



(No Model.)

O.v ROTHROCK.

SAFETY DEVICE FORLOGOMOTIVE PILOTS.

` No. 297,012. Patented Apr. 15. 1884.Y

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Wfl@ n H i 'i' i'l-il 'wss IM N. PETERS. Phnlwhographr. Whhington. D, C.

, @turen raras .artnr rines@ OSCAR ROTHROOK, OF BEECH GREEK, PENNSYLVANIA.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR LOCOVlOTlVE-PlL'OTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 297,012, dated April l5, 1884.

Application filed December 13, 1853.

To @ZZ whom) t may concern:

Beit known that I, OSCAR Rornnooir, of Beech Greek, in the county of Clinton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful ImprovementsinSafetyDevices for Locomotive-Pilots; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specication.

rrIhis invention relates to a safety device for locomotive-pilots orl cow-catchers, the object thereof being to remove obstructions,whether animate or inanimate, from the track, and prevent the train from passing over the same. The pilot or cow-catcher of a locomotive as ordinarily constructed does not extend to the track-rails, and hence it frequently happens that an animal or other object, after having been struck by the pilot, drops again in front of the same, or is brought into such a position that the locomotive and train pass over such object, consequently rendering the train very liable to be thrown from the track, with the grave consequence of causing loss of life and destruction of property. This invention is designed to prevent such accidents; and to this end it consists in such. construction and combination of parts as will hereinafter be distinctly pointed out.

In the drawings hereunto annexed, Figure l is a perspective view of the front portion of a locomotive and its pilot, the latter capable of being raised or lowered. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the pilot shown in a lowered position.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in both views.

sition, and have attached to them the guides o o. These guides inclose that portion ofthe pilotmarked o o in the drawings, so that the pilot is free to move up and down. The upper portion lof the frame-work of the pilot is constructed so as to provide the spaces m2, for

(No model.)

thereception of the buffers and draw-head, these being separate and distinct from the pilot. rlhe lower side portion of the framework of the pilot is also of a construction that provides the arches a a., for the reception of the rails when the pilot is lowered.

rIhe means for raising and lowering or operating the pilot constructed in the above-de scribed manner depend altogether upon the character of the locomotive or the position of the cab or engine-room, it being understood in all cases to be under the control of the engineer, so that it can be quickly and easily operated for the purposes herein set forth, and any suitable mechanism for raising and lowering it can be employed. In the present instance I have illustrated an operating mechanism for the pilot which consists of a rockshaft, E, located at the front of the locomotivetrack, and having an arm, c, connected with the links ff', extending from the upper portion of the pilot. A rod, g, connected with anarm, h., on the outer end of the rock-shaft, extends to a vertical lever which is supposed to be located in the cab of the locomotive, and to have a suitable pawl or spring-catch for locking it to a notched segment or plate or other holding device. It will be manifest that when said lever is locked in one position the pilot is held in an elevated state, as is shown in Fig. l. Vhen the lever is released, the weight of the shaft suffices tolet it drop untilit is again locked. Wvhen the engine-room is in front 0f the engine, and the pilot extends any considerable distance above the Hoor of the cab, suitable mechanism should be placed behind the pilot at t-he enginecrs hand. The pilot may in some instances extend two or three feet (even more) above the door of the cab. In such instance suitable coiled springs would be serviceable in raising the pilot after it has been permitted to drop; or, in rare instances, the springs might, in connection with suitable relief devices, be permitted to perform the function of both lowering and raising the pilot.

The operation is as follows: Then approaching cattle on the track, the pilot is lowered to within suchadistance from the rails or ground as to obviate any liability of danger should an animal be struck and fall in front of the locomotive. In such an event the pilotwould IOO throw the animal to the side of the track. When obstructions exist on crossings, switches, Sco., the pilot is lowered to a point just level with the rails, so as to throw such ob structions outwardly from the track. In positions where no such objects as switch-rails, frogs, &e., are between the track-rails, the pilot, by virtue of its side pieces being constructed with the arches, can be lowered to within a short distance ofthe sleepers or crossties, so as to permit the engineer to throw off any object like a cow, hog, or sheep. Guideposts may be located at the side of the track for indicating the nature and position of obstructions which will prevent the pilot from being1 lowered to its lowest point.

Having tlins described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a vertically-adjnstable locomotive-pilot having` spaces n a n, for receiving` the draw-head and bumpers, with the mechanism consist-ing of the links ff, rock-shalt E, lever hf, and rod g, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a locomotivetruck having,` posts p p, of a vertically-adjustable pilot attaehed to said posts, and means for operating` said pilot at the will oi' the opera-tor, as described.

3. lIhe combination, with a locomotivetruek having,` posts p p at its forward end, said posts having` guides o 0, ol" the vertically-adjustable pilot, constructed as described, and the means, substantially as herein set forth, whereby the same is operated from the eab of the engine.

4. The combination, with a locomotivetrnek having suitable guides at its forward end, of a vertically-adj nstablepilot moving` in said guides, and means for raising and lowering; the same, substantially as described.

In testimony that I Claim the foregoing as iny own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OSCAR ROTHROCK.

Vitnesses:

J. R. YOUNGMAN, C. G. FUnsT. 

